Programme

The Climate Smart Food Digital Summit ran over three consecutive weekdays (24th, 25th and 26th September). Each session included interactive presentations, panel discussions, audience Q&As, fireside chats and Start-Up pitches.

Decarbonising Supply Chains at the Source

Food majors are under increasing pressure to stamp out irresponsible practices from ingredient supply chains. But voluntary measures have only got the sector so far, and policymakers are stepping in. While Europe races to comply with incoming regulations, rising global temperatures are plaguing production of key commodities cocoa, coffee and sugar. Can decarbonisation practices be embedded at the source before it’s too late?

Welcome from Chair
Fireside Chat
Cutting Methane from Dairy with Danone

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, second only to CO2 in contributing to global warming in recent years. Limiting these emissions is at the top of the sustainability agenda for dairy producers, but it’s no mean feat; even the biggest players in the world can’t stop cows from burping. We catch up with dairy major Danone to ask how it’s approaching the methane challenge in dairy.

Chair: Nicholas Robinson, Editor, Food-Navigator Europe

Speaker
Global Regenerative Agriculture Director
Danone
Panel Discussion
Preparing for EUDR: Is Europe Ready for Incoming Deforestation Regulation?

The EUDR deadline is fast approaching. Although developed with good intentions, could unintended consequences mar regulators’ ambitions? What is certain is that without industry compliance, the law will have no effect. We ask which hurdles food and beverage makers are racing to overcome – and will they make it in time?

Chair: Augustus Bambridge-Sutton, Reporter, Food-Navigator Europe

Speakers
Deputy Director EMEA
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
Managing Director
Sustainability Solutions
EU Public Affairs
Rainforest Alliance
Global Head, Sustainability Impact
ofi
Fireside Chat
Sowing Sustainability into Hazelnut Farming with Ferrero

When it comes to large-scale crop cultivation, hazelnut is still in its development phase. As such, the famed Nutella ingredient comes with interesting challenges and sustainability hotspots. We catch up with the Ferrero Hazelnut Company to ask how it’s leveraging pilot plots, regenerative agriculture, and partnerships to tackle the sector’s biggest challenges.

Chair: Flora Southey, Editor, Food-Navigator Europe

Speaker
General Manager
Ferrero Hazelnut Company
Presentation
Feeding Africa with Forgotten Foods

Pigeon peas, baobab fruit, taro and Bambara groundnuts, these are just some of the so-called forgotten foods – otherwise known as ‘ancient’ or ‘orphan’ foods – grown across Africa. But on a continent plagued by malnutrition, many varieties have been neglected in favour of less sustainable, and often less nutritious crops. Which forgotten foods have the potential to feed the masses?

Speaker
Senior Food and Nutrition Officer
FAO
Presentation
THE CONNECTED COLLECTIVE - Südzucker`s Initiative Towards Regenerative Agriculture

Despite great progress being made, the transition to more sustainable farming presents significant challenges and risks for farmers. Besides training, financial incentives and assurances of a green premium to mitigate these risks are crucial to encourage the adoption of regenerative farming practices, especially on small farms. Südzucker sees enhancing farmers' resilience against climate risks as a collective responsibility and hence partnering with the entire value chain, right up to the consumer. Therefore, they are consolidating regenerative farming now under their initiative Connected Collective, a measurement based and outcome-oriented approach with a focus on CO2 reductions and fostering biodiversity. To Südzucker, regenerative agriculture is a context-specific, not a one-size-fits-all solution; it must be holistic, respect socio-economic aspects, and aim towards measurable outcomes.

Speaker
Head of Sustainability, Südzucker Sugar Division
Südzucker
Panel Discussion
Futureproofing Cocoa, Coffee and Sugar Against Climate Change

The year 2024 will be remembered for soaring commodity costs, from cocoa to sugar and coffee. While several factors are driving price hikes, it’s difficult to look past the big one: climate change. From regenerative agriculture to drought resistant varieties and support for farmers, which sustainable practices can best ensure these ingredients’ futures?

Chair: Augustus Bambridge-Sutton, Reporter, Food-Navigator Europe 

Speakers
Head of Green Coffee Development
Nestlé
Chief Executive Officer
Earthworm Foundation
Head of 5 Sourcing Principles
Tony's Open Chain
Head of Sustainability, Südzucker Sugar Division
Südzucker
Closing remarks from Chair